When I was a younger man, I served in the U.S Navy. I was a Signalman. Our jobs were to communicate with all the other ships in the Fleet we encountered while out at sea. 

Columbine High School -Students Executed

We used Morse Code on flashing lights, Semaphore, and Flaghoists. We were also in charge of all the flags (Ensigns) on the ship; the Steaming Ensign, the Battle Ensign, the Quarterdeck Ensign and all the foreign naval and state Ensigns we maintained onboard.

Pittsburg Temple-Worshipers Executed

Out at sea, when foreign merchant ships sailed by Naval Ships they “dipped” their sailing Ensign in respect to us. We would lower our Ensign halfway and then hoist it back up in return. “Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name.”

Pulse Nightclub- Club-Goers Executed.

In port, we observed sunrise by hoisting the Captain and or Commodore’s absentee pennant. At Sunset, we observed Colors by lowering, folding, and storing the Ensign that was run up the sternpost.

Parkland, Florida-Students Executed

One day with our ship “underway” we sprinkled the ashes of a former Sailor over the side; “buried at sea” if you will. We produced a U.S. Flag, folded it, and put it aside so it could be given to the old sailors family. During the ceremony, more than one of us looked around at our shipmates and wondered if we would ever be buried at sea.

South Carolina, and Texas-People Worshiping In Church- Executed

Now when I drive down the street, and I spot the American Flag at Half-Mast, a voice in my head asks “why are they at Half-Mast?” Another voice in my head says “are you surprised? They’re always at Half-Mast.” “Oh yea, I say.” Now when I see flags at Half-Mast, I no longer pause to remember a deceased veteran or a community leader who just passed away. I no longer think about how their lives have enriched those around them. I don’t think of them at all.

I only think about failure, and see a reminder of all the people who have died in gun violence.

Las Vegas Concert Goers-Executed

Failure of a broken system, a broken culture, and most of all, a broken country. I am no longer reminded about when the American Flag was part of my daily life and it stood for something more than the remembrance of so many innocent lives destroyed in apocalyptic fashion. Sometimes I even question whether participation in my own military service was broken. Sometimes I’m lost, but I have at least one idea that’s not broken; I want better lives for the people of this world. 

Sandy Hook Elementary School – The Youngest, Most Innocent Children-Executed

As Navy Signalman, there were often discussions on whether it was proper, appropriate, or code that an American Flag should ever be flown upside down, for any reason. The outcome from said discussions has proved inconclusive as well as the details of the “non-binding” U.S Flag Code. BTW, the U.S. Navy policy is the American Flag is NEVER to be flown upside down. These days it doesn’t matter. More so than not, if you see an American Flag at Half-Mast, it might as well be upside down; a dire indication of a nation in distress.